Mezzo Soprano Hương Diệp will perform the role of Carmen. Photos courtesy of VNOB

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam National Opera & Ballet (VNOB) will perform a new version of Carmen, one of the most popular operas in the world, in Hà Nội Opera House.

The 19th-century opera Carmen by French Georges Bizet was first presented in Prague in 1880. It tells the story of Don José, a soldier who falls madly in love with the Gypsy Carmen.

Set in Spain, beautiful Carmen is seductive, passionately committed woman who dares to live and die for love and is entangled in many tragedies when she meets Don José, an army corporal, is looking for love.

VNOB's Carmen will be performed by leading artists such as mezzo soprano Hương Diệp, tenor Anh Vũ and veteran Huy Đức and Hà Nội International Voices Choir.

The opera will enthral audiences with the vibrant fusion of the original masterpiece with the backdrop of the 21st century-pub, with captivating tap dance and K-Pop.

The opera Carmen staged by VNOB is concise, about 120 minutes, but still retains the value of a classic work, while also having modern innovation.

In the 120-minute opera, the dramatic story is portrayed vividly, with colourful costumes and vibrant choreography, adding to the visual richness of the work.

"As a leading theatre, we want the audience to truly feel a world-class opera,” said VNOB's director, Meritorious Artist and the opera’s artistic director Phan Mạnh Đức.

"We hope to bring to the audience this world-class opera with performing skills creating a romantic and charming performance."

The theatre invited Leung Siu Kwan (Cindy), one of Hong Kong's leading opera directors who has directed Carmen seven times, to Việt Nam to stage this work for the VNOB.

Leung is currently the General Manager of Musica Viva Limited, and has been involved in numerous projects in her ten years there, including the Madama Butterfly, Turandot, Le Nozze di Figaro and Carmen.

Hong Kong director Leung Siu Kwan.

"I want to bring Carmen closer to the trend of modern art in the world," Leung said. "Along with the tradition that has been established for hundreds of years, VNOB's Carmen will bring the breath of a new era with dances that young people are fond of such as tap dance and K-Pop.

"On the other hand, 2024 Carmen will help change the way women are viewed. It will be a beautiful, confident and powerful woman, not a flirtatious woman who likes flirting and destroying men."

Selected as one of the delegates in the 2015 and 2016 Performing Arts Market in Seoul organised by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, Leung promotes locally produced operas in the international market for performing arts.

Recently, Leung received a cultural exchange to produce and perform Hong Kong artists at Vivaldi Festival 2023 in Italy.

Last year, she also co-produced a gala concert with Sài Gòn Philharmonic Orchestra and directed Cavalleria Rusticana in Hà Nội Opera House. She staged the production again in Manila last November.

Carmen will begin at 8pm on March 14, 15 and 16 at Hà Nội Opera House. For ticket information please call hotline (+84) 0977377456 or (+84)0902218185. — VNS